Repositório RCAAP

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES

Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq

Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES

The Quorum Sensing (QS) regulation is closely related to the biofilm formation mechanism in several microrganisms. In the Chromobacterium violaceum (CV) species it is possible to verify this regulation through the production of violacein, a violet colored pigment. The blocking of the production of this protein has been used as an indicator of QS inhibition. To demonstrate QS inhibition there is no need to disable the bacteria, that is, there is no need for bacterial death. However, quantification of violacein requires robust and laborious laboratory instrumentation, in addition to a demanding costly infrastructure and specialized human resources. In this context, we aimed to evaluate the production and inhibition of violacein, where the readings were performed through the Android application Photometrix UVC coupled to an endoscopic USB camera. To evaluate the blockage of violacein production, it was used salicylic acid, a product of natural origin, widely used as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antifebrile. The ideal conditions for C. Violaceum growth and pigment production were also standardized. The microrganism showed better growth and violacein production, when cultivated in Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) culture medium for 24h at 37°C. The minimum inhibitory (125 μg/ml) and bactericidal (2000 μg/ml) concentrations of salicylic acid against CV were established. The salicylic acid at sub-inhibitory concentrations was able to inhibit violacein production and the results of the traditional method of reading were compared with those performed by the Android PhotoMetrix application. The results obtained demonstrate that there is no significant difference between the reading methods, indicating that these technologies can be great allies in research, and can be widely used as a screening method, favoring the discovery of new substances with potent QS inhibition activity and antibiofilms.

This dissertation links reflections about the history of death, of dying during the Middle Age, the necessity of approach the subject in the scholar environment, and the current Covid-19 pandemic. It starts with the assumption that, even with death being a general phenomenon, the perception and the experience of dying are not. Hence, it is possible to find different perspectives are not adequately explored during Basic Education, with death often appearing as a quantification of fatalities in a certain event. Thus, it is discussed not only the necessity of a deeper debate about the history of death, but also the importance that the school does not remove itself from this discussion, to bridge the scientific knowledge to the students’ daily life. To do it, a teaching method that may help the teacher in the approach of this and other controversial subjects is a pedagogic workshop. The main issue is the scant research dedicated to theorizing these workshops as a didactic resource to teachers. Based on these questions, a Canvas model was created to develop a methodology of pedagogic workshop design. Canvas is a broadly used administrative tool applied in the conception of business plans and games in general that can be adapted to many other purposes. Therefore, with the conception of the Pedagogic Workshop Canvas Model, this idea is illustrated with an example of a workshop, in which the teacher can approach death during the Black Death in the 14th century and the Covid-19 pandemic, to discuss similarities and differences. The Pedagogic Workshop Canvas Model is a versatile methodology that contributes to the teacher’s creativity, favors the planning and troubleshooting even before the workshop execution, and allows improvements, after which the same workshop may be adapted and enhanced for other opportunities.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES

The microencapsulation of anthocyanic compounds has become an efficient alternative in protecting and increasing the bioavailability of weakly stable compounds. Studies have been carried out in order to verify the anticarcinogenic effect of blueberry, but a wide range has taken into account only purified extracts, not taking into account the instability of anthocyanin compounds in the gastrointestinal system. Based on that, the objective of the present work was to microencapsulate the blueberry extract (Vaccinium ashei) by the spray drying method using maltodextrin-DE20, hi-maize, gum arabic and inulin as wall material, to evaluate its stability under different conditions of storage (60 days), its bioavability under simulated gastrointestinal conditions and its antiproliferative effect on colon adenocarcinoma cells (HT-29). Microencapsulation was carried out in laboratory scale spray drying using 140 °C of inlet air, four feeding solutions were prepared: standard formulation (S): maltodextrin DE20, hi-maize; T1: DE20 maltodextrin, hy-maize, inulin; T2: maltodextrin DE20, hi-maize, gum arabic; and T3: maltodextrin DE20, hi-maize, inulin and gum arabic. The microcapsules were evaluated for moisture content, solubility, encapsulation efficiency, particle size, morphology, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, stability of total monomeric anthocyanins under different storage conditions and the simulated gastrointestinal system. Subsequently, the microcapsule that presented the best results against the analyzes performed was selected and evaluated when its cell viability (MTT), nitric oxide (NO) and anti-proliferative effect (chlorogenic analysis, cell cycle and western blot) against colon cancer cells (HT-29) was performed. The microcapsules obtained in the present study showed high encapsulation efficiency from 96.80 to 98.83%. Among the parameters analyzed, the T3 formulation showed the lowest values of constant degradation (k) at the storage temperatures tested, with an emphasis on the freezing temperature, corresponding to the lowest loss during storage and, consequently, a longer half-life (t ½ ) being 913.41 days. This same treatment was shown to be effective in the preservation and improved delivery of anthocyanin compounds when compared to the free extract. The blueberry extract microcapsule showed a slight decrease in viability (24 hours) and anti-proliferative capacity (48 and 72 hours) against HT-29. The microcapsules were effective in increasing oxidative stress in HT-29 cells at concentrations between 3000 and 9000 μg/mL. Concentrations of 7000, 8000 and 9000 μg/mL showed a decrease in colony formation. However, the results found in the present study also suggest that the pathways of action of microcapsules against cancerous lines still need to be better elucidated, allowing a greater understanding of the metabolism of microcapsules.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES

Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq

In parallel with the increase in aging, the world also faces a growing increase in obesity in all age groups, including among the elderly. This is a worrisome fact, since obesity alone is an independent risk factor for other associated comorbidities and metabolic syndrome (MS). It is a chronic condition of multifactorial etiology and its treatment involves several approaches (nutritional, use of medications and practice of physical exercises). However, several patients do not respond to these therapeutic approaches, requiring more invasive interventions. In this sense, bariatric surgeries have been assuming an important role as the last therapeutic strategy, demonstrating good control of comorbidities in conjunction with weight loss. The aim of this study was to identify and analyze metabolic alterations in elderly people who underwent bariatric surgery within one year. This is a retrospective study with a quantitative approach. The sample was characterized by patients aged 60 years or older, submitted to bariatric surgery in a private clinic in southern Brazil, from 2015 to 2020, according to the established inclusion and exclusion criteria. The selection of participants and data collection took place through consultation in the clinic database. For data extraction, a form was used with the following variables: sociodemographic, anthropometric data, personal health data and clinical data. Anthropometric data and laboratory results were collected in three stages: pre-surgical, six months and one year after surgery. Data were collected from June to September 2021. The software used for statistical analysis was SPSS version 21.0. To evaluate the behavior of the variables over time and between group, a model of generalized estimation equations was used, complemented by the Least Significant Difference test. For better interpretation of the results in relation to weight loss, we divided the patients into two subgroups: by gender (male and female) and by age group (60 to 65 years and 66 to 71 years). The results showed remission of comorbidities in dyslipidemia, gastroesophageal reflux, sleep apnea and hepatic satosose, and partial control in diabetes (88%), hypertension (92%) and depression (39%). Bmi went from obesity (mean of 42.72kg/m²) to overweight (mean of 27.70kg/m²) in the first year evaluated. There was a reduction in the use of alcohol and tobacco and an improvement in the practice of physical activities, as well as in the number of medications in use; we showed loss of lean mass in the first six months, with stabilization after the first year, with progressive loss of fat mass. Regarding weight loss between age groups, there was no significant difference between them. Bariatric surgery of gastric bypass in Roux-of-Roux via laparoscopic was shown to be effective in the metabolic profile of the elderly population in a short period.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES

Categorization systems reduce health risks and violations of food safety laws by prioritizing the requirements that cause the most significant public health impact from foodborne outbreaks. This study aimed to critically examine the impact of implementing a categorization system based on inspection cycles and letter grading and the exposure of seals to consumers. To achieve the objective of this cross-sectional and longitudinal study involving the public sector, academia, and 45 food services, three studies were conducted and three support tools were developed: educational material, application, and the regulation of the process. In addition to the manuscript that presents all the stages of the strategy implementation completely, the influence that the qualification stage had on the knowledge, attitude and practice, risk perception, and optimistic bias of the participating handlers and managers was also evaluated. Specifically, the successful experience of the study in increasing compliance with the hygiene of leafy vegetables was reported. Data showed that most of the food services (n = 35) evaluated could evolve positively throughout the process, seven maintained their classification, and three worsened their score in the second inspection cycle. There was a significant reduction in the sanitary risk score (p < 0.001), as well as the percentage of adequacy increased among the participants (p < 0.001). The presence of academic help supporting the managers in the adjustments proved to be a “trigger” for the success of the strategy in both forms of evaluation, risk score (p = 0.042), and percentage of adequacy (p = 0.04). Overall, the public considered the implementation system a good food safety strategy. The qualitative research showed that consumers recognize the beneficial effects of the exposure of sanitary categories in food services and take it as a basis for making their choices. Additionally, the study presented itself as a possibility of adaptation to the new regulatory model of Brazil, which foresees the obligation of quantitative and statistical analyses for risk classification of economic activities. Regarding the evaluation of the influence of the qualification in food safety on the variables of knowledge, attitude and practice and the perception of risk of managers and food handlers participating in the categorization of food services in the municipality, one can note that the practices (22.33 ± 2.55) became safer than before (20.76 ± 3.44) the qualification. Similarly, the perception of risk also increased (4.49 ± 0.52). Furthermore, self-reported practices were positively correlated (r = 0.427; p < 0.001) with perceived risk. Punctually, the perception of risk had a worse performance regarding the hygiene of vegetables and food thawing, but the scores of both items improved significantly (p < 0.001) throughout the categorization process. From this strategy, we could conclude that food safety qualification can be an effective tool to support the implementation of foodservice categorization systems, reinforcing the theory that education and qualification can integrate behavioral sciences with public health. However, a review of the method used in qualification is suggested. In summary, categorization in food services impacts the reduction of sanitary risk and the improvement of good handling practices; it is a recommended strategy for intersectoral actions among the triad public sector, private and academia, strengthening productive partnerships and proposing the establishment of modern food legislation that is harmonized and based on evidence.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES